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Obituary for Andrea E. Blue (Simcik)

The deluge of rain that poured forth from the sky on November 9, 2018, was minuscule compared to the sea of tears that flowed from the family, friends, and loved ones of Andrea Elizabeth (Simick) Blue following her unexpected and sudden passing on Friday, November 9, 2018. To describe in words the depth of love, compassion, kindness and generosity that was housed in Andrea’s heart and soul is almost impossible for she was one of a kind.

Andrea wore many hats throughout her all too short life…beloved wife, perfect mother, phenomenal grandmother, great mother in law, dedicated sister, loving aunt, thoughtful friend, fun pool buddy, and the best dog mom and pet grandmother ever. She had the kindest heart and most empathetic demeanor, willing to help anyone as best she could, even with her limitations. Andrea sparkled and glittered just like the sparkly, glittery clothes and jewelry she adored. She would go out of her way for anyone. Although don’t let her sweetness fool you, she could pull off a great prank with the best of them…just ask her granddaughter Julia about the Annabelle doll hoax. Though Andrea struggled physically and suffered from pain on a daily basis, you would never know it as she made sure to live her life to the fullest.

Born on September 9, 1949, in Reading, the second daughter of the late William and Magdalen (Jenco) Simcik, Andrea was a faithful and devoted member of Holy Rosary Parish in Reading for over 47 years. She lived in the West Reading/Wyomissing area since the 70s. She graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1967, and worked at various social and customer service positions over the years. She served as a Senior Residential Counselor at the Lutheran Home at Topton, where she worked with children with special behavioral needs. Andrea also served as a foster parent for many years, opening her home to teenagers who needed a supportive place to stay. Her time in the work force concluded after a 15-year tenure at CNA Insurance, when she was forced into early retirement due to her disability.

Andrea’s greatest joy came from her family who also survive her: her husband of 47 years, Dr. John James Blue, Wyomissing, her daughter Allyson of Philadelphia, wife of Gleidison Batista, and her daughter Kristin Blue of Reading. The love and pride she had for her daughters no matter their paths in life was intense. These feelings only intensified when she was blessed with her three grandchildren: Julia Garro, Gabriella Batista, and Nicholas Batista, all of Philadelphia. Each of her grandchildren made her so proud. She admired and respected their unique individuality. Her heart swelled with love and pride at their sweet dispositions, intelligence, senses of humor, fun loving attitudes, success, and athleticism.

Andrea was a lifelong animal lover and it was rare for an animal to not live in the home. She is survived by her 11-year-old German Shepherd, brother and sister canines Maggie and Max, whom she took care of since they were puppies. She is also survived by her two grandcats: 19 y/o Cassie and 5 y/o Alley and her 2 y/o granddog Bo.

Andrea was predeceased by her brother William Simcik and brother in law John Buynak. Survivors include sister Marita Buynak, sister in law Ann Simcik, and brothers Chris Simcik and his wife Jane, Jerry Simcik and his wife Beth, and John Simcik and his wife Amy. Surviving nieces and nephews include Lisa Konopelski, Jennifer Parra, Terri Ann Fritz, Megan Clark, Christopher Simcik, Whitney Ravesloot, Jillian Buynak, Bernadette Simcik, Charles Simcik, Sawyer Simcik, and Caison Simcik along with 14 great nieces and nephews. Andrea is also survived by her aunt and godmother, Rita Walker, and her husband Jim. Aunt Rita and Uncle Jim were very dear and special to Andrea as were their children, Karen, George, Jeff, Kenny, Bonnie, and Mark. Cousins Kathy and Charlie McNichol and their children and grandchildren also survive her. Andrea was blessed with a large extensive family; so many other cousins survive her as well.

Andrea’s heart was bigger than the earth so she was able to love and befriend many throughout the course of her life. This could happen while sitting in a church pew, waiting in a grocery store line, or sitting next to someone in a doctor’s office. Andrea was blessed to find wonderful friends through her West Reading Pool summer membership of almost 40 years, as well as her water exercise classes at LA Fitness and the Reading Rehab Hospital. She always looked forward to her monthly “Thirsty Thursday” with the LA Fitness group!

Andrea most cherished activity was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren, and dogs. She loved the beach, especially Wildwood and Cape May, and visited there at least once per year. Although she always put others before herself, she did find time to enjoy her favorite activities such as going out to eat at different local restaurants, perusing handmade items at craft shows, finding the right sparkly/glittery piece of jewelry or clothing, or shopping for bargains at flea markets, yard sales, Ross, Kohls, Boscov’s, or the mother ships of bargain hunting – BB’s and Hornings. Most often she was purchasing something for someone else -again always thinking of others. But of course, these activities needed to take place after 1:30 pm M-F as it was a rare event that would cause Andrea to miss The Young and Restless as she had been a lifelong fan since the show’s inception in 1973. Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor/Bachelorette were other beloved shows, (well…we also can’t forget the multiple of police, hospital, and fire company dramatic shows she had to watch).

Over the years, she could drive you crazy with the number of photos she would take considering this was back in the day before everyone had a smart phone and took tons of pics. She just wanted to capture every memory and event for posterity. How grateful we are now to have those images to remind us of her love and beauty! Andrea will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, empathy, helpfulness, joie de vivre, beautiful smile, gorgeous eyes, generosity, strength, loyalty, dedication, strong work ethic, faithfulness, love, caring, thoughtfulness, and pretty much any other positive adjective you can think of. She had it all and she was it all. An angel no longer among us.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday, November 16, 2018, at Holy Rosary RC Church, 214 Franklin Street, Reading. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Family and friends may call between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2018, and between 9:00 am to 9:30 am on November 16, 2018, at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading.

Andrea loved flowers, gardening, and birds so the family welcomes floral arrangements. In addition, donations to any charity or group befitting Andrea’s loves and beliefs are appreciated. She was most supportive of Holy Rosary Parish in Reading, the West Reading Borough Board of Recreation, the Reading Public Museum, and animal rescue specifically the German Shepherd Rescue of Southeastern PA, or the MidAtlantic German Shepherd Rescue.

The family also welcomes any photos and stories you wish to share about Andrea. Please email them to: inandreasmemory@protonmail.com.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.